Earlier this week, I was invited by Michael Dergar, founder and CEO of the Academy of Special Dreams, to attend the 17th Annual Disability Art Exhibition (October 2024), along with the award ceremony and reception held at Los Angeles City Hall. Additionally, I met Dory Perdomo, who has been an advocate for inclusivity among disabled artists in Mexico and South America.
During the event at Los Angeles City Hall, guests were invited to view an art exhibition in the Henry P. Rio Bridge Gallery, which featured approximately fifty artists with disabilities. The artists were sponsored by organizations such as the Braille Institute Los Angeles, Create.a.Dot Studio, Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Korean American Special Education Center (KASEC), Los Angeles Goal, Tierra Del Sol Foundation, The Arc Los Angeles & Orange Counties Creative Arts, and of course, the Academy of Special Dreams, which presented artworks by both Federico and Christian Tresierras.
It was only recently, through Dergar and the Academy of Special Dreams, that I became aware of the importance of inclusivity in the arts for individuals with disabilities. As I walked through the exhibition, I was even more impressed by the quality of the artwork, the creativity, the concepts being expressed, and the variety of mediums being used. As I got to know the artists and learned about their backstories, the fact that they were able to create such outstanding work despite facing mental, physical, or even both types of challenges made the artworks even more remarkable.
The ceremony and reception included remarks from Los Angeles city officials, honored guests, and Michael Dergar, who has played a significant role in the development and expansion of the Disabilities Art Exhibition over the 17 years since its inception.
While speaking with honored guest Dory Perdomo, an internationally renowned artist and curator whose work has significantly advanced inclusion in the arts, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, and Spain, she shared her experience that, at times, the final artwork created by disabled artists can be just as impressive as that of artists without any mental or physical challenges. With this in mind, I realized that had I walked through the Henry P. Rio Bridge Gallery without knowing the challenges these artists faced, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to recognize that the artwork was created by individuals with disabilities.
During the reception, Perdomo was recognized for her achievements in supporting inclusion in the arts and was presented with an award by Michael Dergar, who announced, “[Dory has] been able to collaborate and form partnerships with the Academy of Special Dreams Foundation through Baupres Gallery in Mexico, Colombia, and Spain, creating inclusive art exhibitions and raising public awareness about artists with disabilities to ensure our communities include everyone in the arts.” Dergar also stated that, “for the last five years, [Dory has been] making a difference and creating awareness in different countries that lack accessibility or disability services altogether.”
In previous conversations with Michael, he has emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the arts for individuals with disabilities, largely due to the financial opportunities that arise when artwork is purchased during exhibitions. In this scenario, art provides those with disabilities a form of entrepreneurial opportunity to sustain themselves and support their families. This sentiment was echoed by Akiko Tagawa, President of the Commission on Disability for the City of Los Angeles, when she stated during the reception, “This exhibition is an integral part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this year's theme, ‘Access to Good Jobs for All,’ is a reminder of how critical it is to create opportunities for people with disabilities—not just in the workforce, but in every aspect of life.” She further stated, “These organizations work tirelessly to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the resources and support they need to thrive and be successful. Together, we are helping to foster a community where everyone's creativity is valued and celebrated.”
During the award ceremony and reception, it was humbling to witness the overwhelming joy of the family members and caregivers of the artists being honored by the City of Los Angeles. Opportunities for artists to exhibit their work are already limited in Los Angeles, and I can only imagine how much more challenging it must be for those with disabilities. Seeing nonprofit organizations like the Academy of Special Dreams come together with the support of the City of Los Angeles made me even more aware of the importance of inclusivity in the arts, as well as the profound impact this support has on individuals who benefit from having a platform to showcase their work.
It seems to me that art not only serves as a healthy and healing creative outlet for individuals with disabilities but also provides a source of income that fosters their inclusion within the community.